Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer (the official start would be the June 21 Summer Solstice, FYI), but entertainment institutions across Portland are celebrating early.

The biggest and loudest celebrations will come from Tom McCall Waterfront, where the Rose Festival is kicking off its core festivities with CityFair and the opening night fireworks on Friday. But summer celebrations can be found everywhere, from Ninkasi's new Wünderbier to Salt and Straw's Dandelion Sorbet with edible flowers.

If you're lucky enough to get a three-day weekend, enjoy it outdoors relaxing, preferably with something cool and delicious in hand. There's nothing wrong with a little preemptive summer celebration.

[EAT]

Cheap Eats: What happens when a Portland musician teams up with the Cheese Bar? You get a delicious showcase of unique pizzas for two hours a week, aptly titled "Pizza Wednesdays." The weekly menu changes, but usually includes one flatbread and focaccia pizza ($10 each), a vegetarian option and a host of well-paired and unorthodox toppings.

Fine Dining: Who says you can't splurge on dessert? Readers named Salt and StrawPortland's best ice cream last week, and their May flavors are proof the title is well earned. Check out the Dandelion Sorbet with edible spring flowers, a light and flavorful scoop jam-packed with beautiful and delicious flower petals.

Home Cooking: Memorial Day weekend is the official start to the grilling season, and Grant Butler has kindly gathered 10 excellent recipes. If you're a meat eater, check out the fresh and unique Rib-Eye and Grilled Romaine With Hot Tomato Vinaigrette.

[DRINK]

Beer: Summer beers are here, courtesy of some of Portland's finest breweries, and this week we look at the Ninkasi Kölsch-Style Wünderbier. Fermented at ale temperatures and conditioned at colder lager temperatures, the golden-colored Wünderbier is light in body with a dry, crisp finish.

Liquor: Downtown Portland's Imperial was just named one of the best cocktail bars in America by Thrillest, so now's a great time to check out the bar's inventive drinks, like "A Radish Walks Into a Bar..." which mixes Carpano Antica vermouth, Ransom Old Tom gin, radish gastrique, lemon, cracked pepper and salt.

Friday: This weekend marks the official beginning of the Rose Festival, and the celebration starts with the opening night fireworks on Friday. It's no Fourth of July, but it's still one of Oregon's largest fireworks displays. Get there early and check out CityFair while you're at it.Fireworks start at 9:45 @ Tom McCall Waterfront; included in $7 CityFair admission

Saturday: Improvisational actors at the Brody Theater are bringing back an audience favorite, "Two Houses," a story of family, love and marriage, all made up on the spot. The show is directed by Brody mainstay Domeka Parker, and runs every Saturday through June 14.8 p.m. @ Brody Theater; $12

Sunday: Seeing cover bands can be a brutal experience and a Prince cover band? Well that can be even worse. But when said Prince cover band is called Princess and is fronted by SNL alum Maya Rudolph with singer-songwriter Gretchen Lieberum, it's going to be a much different experience. 8 p.m. @ Wonder Ballroom; $30